Tichitt-Walata and the Middle Niger - PanAfrican Association of ...

434 Kevin C. MacDonald
Ndondi Tossokelfacies, Dhar Tichitt tradition (Fig. 4)
Elements of the Ndondi Tossokel tradition first appeared like uninvited guests in elements of the
Kobadi assemblage illustrated by Mauny (1972: Plate n.8-10). In retrospect, parallels between these
vessels and those from Tichitt-Walata should have been obvious at the time (Mauny 1972: Plates V­
VII; Holl 1986: Fig.23). However it was not until I had a chance to study the Dhar Tichitt assemblage
curated by Pat Munson at Indiana University in 1993, that I realised the Ndondi Tossokel
tradition and that of Tichitt-Walata to be one and the same (compare Figs 4 and 5).
The Ndondi Tossokel tradition comprises both open simple-rimmed vessels and closed evertedrimmed
vessels, with the latter being the more numerous. The everted rim vessels have internal rim
diameters of between 12 and 22 cm. The diameters of open simple rimmed vessels range between
14 and 38 cm.
In addition to the distinctive shape of their everted rims (cf. Fig. 4 for the three principal variations),
their decor and its manner of application are most characteristic. Tightly spaced cord-wrapped
cord roulettes descending vertically from the lip or collar of the vessel are a hallmark of Ndondi
Tossokel wares, comprising between 39 and 59% of total motif occurrences. Additionally, impressions
using the same tool are common. Other decor attributes include applied plastic nubbins and
fillets (cf. Rye 1981: 94) which are usually in the shape of teats and are applied below or within the
band of cord-wrapped stick decor, and simple incised lines or arcs (Fig. 4b). Red slip is also very
common, with traces visible on the lip of most vessels. The fabric of Ndondi Tossokel pottery is
distinctive, usually consisting of grog and coarse sand, sometimes augmented by chaff (ca. 5-30%
of sherds depending on the assemblage). In texture, they are harder than Beretouma or Kobadi
wares, and tend to have thinner walls.
Although lithics are scarce in the Merna, probably due to the lack of local rock sources aside
from schist and sandstone, Ndondi Tossokel sites usually provide an assortment of projectile points
comparable to those known from Dhars Tichitt and Walata (cf. Amblard 1984, types 68, 78 and 79).
Also, polished stone hachettes, stone rings and beads which correlate well with the findings of
Amblard (1984) are associated with the Ndondi Tossokel facies.
In most instances the Ndondi Tossokel sites are characterised by the presence of what may be
called "mini-middens". These are relatively small, one to five metre diameter, rounded mounds no
more than 50 cm in height containing broken pottery, stone chips and bone. In between these there
is only a thin scatter of cultural materials. Munson (pers. comm.) has suggested that similar "bumps"
observed in the Dhar Tichitt region, were wind-eroded rubbish pits or sherd-lined earth ovens.
Alternatively, these could be the remains of refuse accumulations from beside living areas, or even
hydrological phenomena. Still, it is interesting that "mini-middens;' do not occur at sites of other
traditions situated within the inundatable plain.
Except when they are mixed with Beretouma ceramics, Ndondi Tossokel facies sites do not
occur within the ancient floodplain, but on its margins (Fig. 1). They feature little debris accumulation,
with their deposits never rising more than a metre above the surrounding area. In size they are
much smaller than Kobadi sites, usually not exceeding 1.5 ha. A notable exception to this is the 6 ha
escarpment-top occupation of Saberi Faita, but it is only superficially stratified. These sites give the
impression of ephemeral occupations by highly mobile groups.
Cattle and ovicaprine remains, as well as terracotta cattle statuettes, have been positively associated
with Ndondi Tossokel facies ceramics at Kolima-Sud and other sites (MacDonald 1994).
This brings into question claims of Raimbault (et al. 1987) concerning the association of cattle
remains with the Kobadi tradition. As has been argued elsewhere, we believe it more probable that
cattle remains at Kobadi stem from intrusive Ndondi Tossokel facies deposits at the site (MacDonald
and Van Neer 1994).